Fo all those who are wondering what religion can do? Well, it can provide a clear and clarion dismissal of criminal activity. The Excommunication of the mafia means that the crimes they commit cannot receive absolution through the church or its priests.

Pope Francis does another real Christian move while his predecessors hid from Italy's worse men. Now if only Francis will follow the Shoes of the Fisherman and sell all the Vaticans wealth and distribute it to the poor and needy...

Fo all those who are wondering what religion can do? Well, it can provide a clear and clarion dismissal of criminal activity. The Excommunication of the mafia means that the crimes they commit cannot receive absolution through the church or its priests.

This would be a good thing.

This is good, but I don't know what idiot thought that the mafia had the support of God anyways :/

Fo all those who are wondering what religion can do? Well, it can provide a clear and clarion dismissal of criminal activity. The Excommunication of the mafia means that the crimes they commit cannot receive absolution through the church or its priests.

This would be a good thing.

This is good, but I don't know what idiot thought that the mafia had the support of God anyways :/

Because if you are not excommunicated, you can walk into a church and receive absolution. God pardons ALL sins. The church acts as a medium for GOD'S forgiveness, not the arbiter of judge ... unless it reaches the point of excommunication - in which case you are formally barred from God's absolution barring severe repentance and re-entry into the church.

Its not that the church tolerated the mafia, its that the Pope recognizes the need to excommunicate the entire organization rather individuals within the organization. Now, mere participation in mafia style gangsterism and corruption is automatic excommunication. The Organization is excommunicated.

Its a bit like saying anyone who participates in Al Qaeda losses his or her citizenship - automatically. Its a real, pardon the expression, kick in the balls.